PORT TOWNSEND — Dogs-A-Foot will complete its 30th year of operation with an act of charity.
The popular hot dog stand at the corner of Water and Madison streets closed for the season Sunday, but will be open Wednesday with the dual purpose of getting rid of its inventory and raising money for the Port Townsend Food Bank.
“In years past when the season ended, Dogs-A-Foot would give away anything that was left,” said Scott Rogers, who with his wife, Robin Rogers, has concluded his first year as the stand’s owner and operator. He is the third owner in 30 years.
“This year we thought when we give it away, we would raise money for the food bank in the process,” Rogers said.
On Wednesday, the stand will give a free hot dog to anyone who makes a cash donation to the food bank.
Rogers said there is enough food to serve 200 people.
“If we were to sell this food, it would raise around $1,000,” Rogers said.
Some people, he said, may choose to give more than the meal’s standard price as a donation, he said. Hot dogs generally sell for $3 to $6.
The stand will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — or whenever the food runs out, whichever comes first.
Shirley Moss, the food bank’s manager, said that contributions from local restaurants and business enhance her inventory.
She makes regular pickups at all four Port Townsend grocery stores: Safeway, QFC, Aldrich’s Market and the Food Co-op, collecting food that is no longer fresh but is still edible.
The food bank also gets regular contributions from the Courtyard Cafe. The cafe, which is closed on Tuesdays, gives away its leftover desserts to the food bank on Monday nights.
The food bank occasionally gets contributions from Sweet Laurette’s and Mt. Townsend Creamery.
“When we get cheese from Mt. Townsend, our clients are in heaven,” Moss said.
The food bank is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday and from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday for seniors only.
The food bank will be the recipient of a major food drive on Oct. 27 called the Wave, when food items will be collected by local churches.
The Wave used to be a door-to-door effort but using churches as a collection point is more efficient, Moss said.
Moss said she prefers to get cash contributions because she can purchase food for four cents a pound.
“If people want to give us something, we can never get enough tuna,” she said. “The clients love it, and I can’t get it at four cents a pound.”
The food bank is at the Mountain View Campus, 1925 Blaine St.
For more information, call Moss at 360-531-0275.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.